High-end bedding retailer is right at home in Irvine

The headquarters for Between The Sheets is located in Irvine. DAN BULLOCK DLB-MEDIA.COM, COURTESY DAN BULLOCK

The non-descript building near MacArthur Boulevard and the 55 Freeway seems incongruous as the headquarters of high-end bedding and home accessories retailer Between The Sheets.

The company's storefront locations are considerably more attractive than its Irvine offices and warehouse. With shops in swanky places like South Coast Plaza and on Palm Desert's El Paseo, Between The Sheets offers products you probably won't buy for your kid's college dorm room.

According to company chairman, Paul Marx, "Irvine is perfect for our purposes."

Irvine suited their budget, and they found the perfectly sized facility to house both their corporate headquarters and their warehouse. Companywide, they have 37 employees spread throughout their Irvine location and four retail stores.

I asked Marx: Why should I visit Between The Sheets as opposed to buying my bedding at Macy's or even Target?

"We are direct importers," he said. "Our sheet sets and duvet covers are made from the highest quality Egyptian cotton and are made exclusively for us in Italy and Germany. We have the only true 'no iron' 100 percent cotton sheets in the USA. They are made for us in Germany. Our down products are made exclusively for us in Denmark using Siberian white goose down. Macy's and Target do not carry the quality level and assortment that we stock. Also, many of our accessories are one of a kind, not mass produced."

Marx says another hallmark of their company is treating their employees well. They provide healthcare, a 401k profit sharing program and vacation time.

The company was founded by Marx and his wife, Sandra. Marx grew up in New York City; Sandra is from Michigan.

"Our bed is the testing ground for all new products. We use the company's down products, wood mattress pads, and both the Italian and German sheets and duvet covers. Our bed is our sanctuary," Marx said, when I asked about their bedroom.

WARNING: BACKPACKS CAN CAUSE PAIN

According to Dr. Michael Gordon, a spine specialist at Irvine's Hoag Orthopedic Institute, "The misuse of backpacks has kids sharing stories of aches and pains common to adult conversations: low back pain, pinched nerves on the shoulders and arms, pulled muscles, and strains."

Apparently, form often rules over function when kids select backpacks.

Some kids wear their backpacks slung low, hanging off one shoulder or loaded with so many items that students are straining to keep them balanced on their shoulders and backs.

Gordon says balance and convenience are critical when choosing and using a backpack. The best advice for a backpack is to not overload it, make sure it fits their body type, and to stand up straight, using both shoulder straps to maintain equal balance.

Freelance columnist Adam Probolsky lives in Rancho San Joaquin and is CEO of Probolsky Research LLC, which specializes in opinion research for government, corporate and political clients. Follow him @AdamProbolsky or email adamprobolsky@gmail.com.

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